Neuropsychological evaluation of cognition

Abstract This chapter describes the components of a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation including the approaches taken and domains of importance for the performance-based measurement of cognitive functions in older adults. Normative and non-normative factors associated with the ageing process that may be of importance in the interpretation of the neuropsychological information are briefly described. These include normative changes associated with ageing, medical disorders affecting cognition, and characteristic patterns of cognitive impairment. The integration of the neuropsychological performance-based information with information obtained from other sources is discussed. In closing, we address the interpretation of the neuropsychological evaluation in relation to the purpose for which it was undertaken, as well as a conceptual framework for intervention in older adults with cognitive or neuropsychiatric impairments.